Defining Lattice Support for Challenging Shell Geometries in a Three-Dimensional Printing System

摘要

An apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional article by additive manufacturing includes a processor and an information storage device. The information storage device includes a non-transient or non-volatile device storing software instructions. In response to execution by the processor, the software instructions cause the apparatus to: receive initial data defining the three-dimensional article having an outer surface, define a shell having the outer surface of the three-dimensional article and an opposing inner surface that defines an inner cavity, define a three-dimensional lattice within the inner cavity that couples to the inner surface of the shell, identify an unsupported contour of the inner surface of the shell that extends downwardly into the cavity, and define a segment that couples the unsupported contour to the lattice.